By: Dr. Suman Bharali
It is a fact that the people are always attracted to the developed countries. They want to eat, dress, stay or follow the lifestyle of developed countries. This is because the people of those countries highlight their culture, systems, tradition, etc. with great respect and confidence and always try to improve them. They always try to keep their indigenous assets at the top of the world. India is a fast-developing country. People here are very efficient and love the country very much. All of us want to see India as one of the developed countries. It will happen only when we will be able to show the world that we have something which they will not get anywhere else. India should develop in all fields so that the people from other parts of the world get attracted to it.
Related Posts:
India is known for its unity in diversity. Every part of the country is unique and blessed with different cultures. We have a very rich heritage. We have many types of textiles, food, arts and crafts, music, dance, health care systems, flora and fauna, natural resources, minerals, fertile land, etc. If these are used properly very soon, we will be at the top of the world.
But unfortunately, every new generation is erasing a part of our identity. Today we are spending more and more on imported foreign products and adopting their cultures. As a result, their economy and value are increasing every day and our indigenous treasures are losing their lustre. And, our indigenous artists, craftsmen, healers, farmers, etc. are being neglected in their own homes. They are not respected though they work very hard and are keeping our tradition alive. People are forgetting our history, heritage, tradition, culture, sciences, and arts. It should be known, that people from other parts of the world will not come here to see or take what they find in other parts of the world, but for what is found exclusively in India. We should also know that the indigenous articles, traditions, and cultures of a region are best suited for the people residing there. They evolved after years of experimentation and application according to the geography, climate, and environment of the region.
Our great freedom fighters understood this fact before independence and started the ‘Swadeshi Movement’ so that we become self-sufficient in every field. They asked Indians to get rid of the foreign goods and encourage our indigenous systems and goods because these are our pride and enhance our economy. There are many indigenous systems in our country which are our pride, but instead of honouring and encouraging them, their development is always suppressed. One of such pride and wealth of India is its indigenous system of medicine i.e., Ayurveda. Unfortunately, most Indians don’t have proper knowledge about it. They should know that many things which the other parts of the world are proving today were told thousands of years ago by our intelligent ancestors. It is a total science of life. In it, everything is discussed, like what is good or bad for life, the cause of happiness and misery, and life and its span. There is an ocean of knowledge for benefit of mankind in it.
When people hear the word Ayurveda, they think it is an outdated system of medicine having no relevance in the present day. The picture of street vendors selling herbs and roots in a tent at the roadside comes to mind. People try to test Ayurvedic professionals by asking different questions and asking for simple home remedies for common diseases. People treat Ayurvedic practitioners as lesser mortals and disrespect them in many instances. But in reality, Ayurveda is a very dynamic, time-tested, efficient, and profound system of medicine and has an immense treasure of knowledge hidden in it. The Ayurvedic practitioner has been relieving the pain and suffering of humans since time immemorial. Today thousands of Ayurvedic professionals are serving selflessly the mankind in the remotest parts of the country keeping a low profile. Only those who are relieved by it believe in its potential and give priority to it.
The earliest treatises of Ayurveda were written about 1500 years ago by our intelligent and skilled ancestors after a lot of study and experiments. We were self-sufficient since early times in every field and showed paths to many other parts of the world. During that period, our ancestors were most intelligent and propagated knowledge nicely. Ayurveda is an eternal and dynamic science. It was developed and updated in every age by successive scholars. Every discovery, invention, know-how, skill, and technology was added to the ancient texts. New experiments, observations, and results were included in the new treatises. It is our heritage and pride; it is a treasure from India gifted to mankind.
Ayurveda not only includes the treatment of diseases but it is a diverse and complete life science and includes everything related to a happy and healthy life. According to definition, Ayurveda is concerned with keeping all the components of the human body in a balanced state, whether it is body tissues, metabolism, or excretions; also, in keeping the soul, sense organs, and mind peaceful and happy. Ancient Ayurveda comprised eight branches viz. internal medicine; child diseases; treatment of poisons; treatment of diseases above shoulder or ENT, eye diseases and oral diseases; surgery; rejuvenation and antiaging therapies, aphrodisiac and infertility treatment; and diseases due to effect of planets, which included all the diseases whose cause were not clear at that time, such as epilepsy, viral diseases, psychological disorders, etc. Apart from these eight branches, Ayurveda has immense knowledge to make a person healthy physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. It is compared with an ocean whose depth cannot be measured.
In the vast syllabus of Ayurveda, all the important subjects of modern medical science are included. Thousands of years ago Acharya Sushruta conducted a dissection of a human cadaver and found out about every part of the body; its components and measurements. Principles of human physiology were also described. There are descriptions of social and preventive medicine, epidemics, and natural disasters. There are descriptions of plant, animal, and mineral poisons and their management. Different parasites and helminths are also mentioned along with treatment. Description about different pediatric diseases is mentioned along with management. Geriatric disorders are also described along with antioxidant and rejuvenating therapies. Infertility treatment was also described along with male and female sexual disorders. Description About pregnancy, antenatal care, and post-partum care are also there. Diseases of ear nose and throat and ophthalmic diseases are described along with treatment. Oral diseases and dental disorders are also included. Different psychiatric disorders and their management are there. Internal medicine includes most acute and chronic diseases along with their treatment. Many major and minor diseases have miraculous Ayurvedic treatments such as different arthritis and pains, bronchial asthma, diabetes, skin diseases, gynaecological disorders, etc. Many people question surgery in Ayurveda. It should be known that Acharya Sushruta is said to be the Father of Indian Surgery. He did surgery for different surgical diseases and injuries. Abdominal surgeries, medical termination of pregnancy in an emergency, and surgeries similar to caesarean section were done. Bone fractures and joint dislocations were treated. Burn injuries, abscesses, and ulcers were treated. Amputations were done and artificial limbs were attached. Plastic surgeries were also done by him. Ayurveda is still famous for anorectal surgeries. Many people are treated daily with ksharasutra surgery for fistula-in-ano, hemorrhoids, etc. Besides these, a lot of other surgical procedures are described in Ayurveda. Some special therapies are leech therapy, alkali therapy, fire therapy, blood-letting, etc. Only a brief idea can is presented here from the vast treasure hidden in Ayurveda.
There are many special treatment principles described in Ayurveda. There are special Ayurvedic principles for the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of a disease. After proper diagnosis, the treatment is started with purificatory therapy first. Which is done using panchakarma therapy. It includes medical emesis to purify the stomach and diseases related to it; the second is purgation therapy which clears the toxins out of the gastrointestinal tract. Then there is two medicative enema therapy where medications are inserted via the anus or vagina in females, which purifies and strengthens the tracts. Then there is a therapy to cleanse and treat diseases of the head and neck, here medicated oils are put into the nostrils. All these therapies take out the toxins present inside the body and prepare the fresh body for treatment. After purification, medicine is given to such detoxified persons and it shows full efficacy. There are indications and contraindications also for these therapies. Only a trained professional can manage it properly.
Another treatment principle is to find out the cause of any disorder or disease and avoid it. Then to understand the pathogenesis and prognosis of the disease and treat it according to the age, time, space, and strength of the patient. In Ayurveda importance is given to a healthy mind also, for this there are treatments to make the mind positive and pure so that it becomes peaceful and aware. Spiritual rituals and beliefs are also encouraged to impart hope and strength to the soul to fight against diseases.
Food, sleep, and disciple is said to be the three pillars supporting life. It is said if our food is good there will be no need for medicine. Sleep should be proper, timely, and adequate. For discipline, there is a description of the daily routine, seasonal regimens, right conduct, and behaviors. All these together benefit the person, society, nation, and the universe as a whole.
The Ayurvedic medicines consist of many herbs and plant parts. Minerals, metals, and non-metals are also used in several medicines which are very potent. Animal products are also used in the preparation of medicine. The process of preparation of medicine is very precise and fine. Every step is done very efficiently to detoxify the components and convert them into edible medicine. Medicines may be in the form of pills, fermented syrups, powder, or external applicants. If followed with a proper diet and regimen the efficacy of these medicines is enhanced. Information about the qualities, medicinal properties, part to be used, dose, etc. of the plants and mineral components are described in Ayurvedic texts thoroughly. There were separate and special spaces for the preparation of medicines called Rasashala, where all necessary equipment and substances were available. The Ancient Ayurvedic scholars were very efficient in alchemy. Many procedures are mentioned that modern science finds hard to believe.
Ayurveda was growing rich with time till the invasion of foreign rulers and the influence of different religions and cultures. Many rulers destroyed the Indian culture and hindered the progress of indigenous systems. British rule brought the modern scientific teachings and neglected the Indian systems further for centuries. During all these periods the progress and popularity of Ayurveda were hampered and some parts of its knowledge are lost. But still, it is time-tested, efficacious, and beneficial for mankind. Neglecting Ayurveda is like neglecting own forefathers and grandparents. It should be understood that our ancestors did marvelous work without any sophisticated instruments and modern knowledge. They gave us our system of medicine and a treasure of knowledge to be proud of. Now we should respect it and come forward to uplift it and make it global. It is our national pride and heritage. All the different branches of modern science and technology should collaborate and cooperate with Ayurveda to explore its tremendous knowledge and upgrade it. All the scientific knowledge and technologies should be used to make it up to date and global. It will reduce the burden of health care, reduce the cost of treatment and give alternative treatment. It can boost the national economy by attracting foreign patients and export of medicines, generating employment for youth, and cultivating medicinal plants can help farmers and interested people as well. People will lead a healthy lifestyle following Ayurveda and a lot of diseases can be prevented. People will be healthy, happy, and strong; hereby will enhance national development by working efficiently in every field. Now Ayurveda should be taken to new heights rather than neglecting it and its professionals who are preserving our national pride and rich heritage.
Ayurveda should be declared the national system of medicine and given top priority in India. As it is our country’s gift to the world. Ayurveda has the potential to develop India. People should be made aware of its benefits. It should be made the first line of treatment in India. More investments should be done in its development. Ayurveda is an eternal science and it should keep developing with time. More educational institutions, hospitals, laboratories, pharmacies, etc. should be opened and the quality of the existing ones should be raised. The quality and quantity of the drugs should be raised to meet international standards. Young and intelligent minds should be encouraged to study and work for Ayurveda by giving proper facilities, jobs, and opportunities. Large-scale farming of medicinal plants should be done in different parts of the country. Efforts should be made to globalize it.
The time has come to conserve our heritage and enhance our traditions if we don’t want to lose our identity. So, everybody should start thinking about how they can help and highlight different indigenous assets of India. It is an eternal and dynamic medical science that is always in service for the benefit of mankind.
(The author is an MD in Ayurvedic Medicine)
